VERMILLION, S.D. — With the score tied at 65 and South Dakota's offense just four yards away from a touchdown, the defense needed a goal-line stand to force a turnover on downs. They did just that to give them a 68-65 win over the offense in the Coyotes' annual Spring Game Saturday inside the DakotaDome. The game served as the final practice for the team this spring.
On top of the goal line stand, the defense forced the offense to punt five times, held them to a field goal three times and sophomore Isaac Armstead made an interception. Senior defensive lineman Sean Bredl led the defense with 2.5 tackles for loss.
South Dakota's offense ran a total of 72 plays and averaged 5.7 yards per play. The unit ran 42 times for a total of 175 yards and completed 19 of 30 passes for 236 yards.
Senior quarterback Ryan Saegar was 9-of-13 for 74 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 33 yards on the day. On his first possession, Saeger marched the offense all the way down the field and threw a 6-yard touchdown strike to junior tight end Josh Hale.
Redshirt freshman Austin Simmons completed seven of 12 passes for 146 yards and a touchdown. The score went to sophomore Tacari Carpenter as he hauled in the pass and ran 53 yards for the touchdown.
Sophomore Mike Fredrick and junior Khorey Kilgore each rushed for a touchdown and 68 and 67 yards, respectively.
Senior placekicker Miles Bergner made all three of his field goal attempts. Bergner hit from 45 yards out, 35 yards and 28 yards on the afternoon.
For the defense, junior Jim Litrenta had five total tackles, senior Jet Moreland tallied four while Bredl and redshirt freshman Darin Greenfield each recorded three.
The game used a modified scoring system, where the offense or defense scored on every play. Offensive touchdowns were worth six points and turnovers were worth six points for the defense. Run of five or more yards scored a point for the offense, run of less than four yards scored one point for the defense, pass of seven or more scored one point for the offense and a pass of six or less yards scored one point for the defense.
All plays of 15 yards or more were worth two points for the offense and all plays of minus two or more yards were worth two points for the defense. All third downs were worth two points and were based on conversion or not. On all possessions that started at the 25, defense received an extra three points if they could hold the offense to a field goal or less.
The Coyotes begin the 2016 season against the New Mexico Lobos in Albuquerque N.M.
Scoring Plays
Josh Hale 6-yard pass from Ryan Saeger (Miles Bergner kick)
Mike Fredrick 22-yard run (Miles Bergner kick)
Miles Bergner 45-yard field goal
Tacari Carpenter 53-yard pass from Austin Simmons (Ethan James kick)
Miles Bergner 28-yard field goal
Khorey Kilgore 11-yard run (Ethan James kick)
Miles Bergner 35-yard field goal
